This is the story of the second ship to bear the name HMS Cossack.

Originally ordered by Russia for the Black Sea Fleet in December 1852 at a cost of 290,000 silver roubles, the ship was sold to the Hamburg trading house of Henry Mersk & Co. when relations between Britain and Russia deteriorated, as Russia feared possible confiscation.

The original contract price for the vessel, then named Witjas (Cossack), was £46,198, including £16,750 for machinery. The Admiralty subsequently paid the contractors £9,591 to complete the contract (of which £4,187 was for machinery), plus £751 for tonnage exceeding the specification and £2,206 for modifications for His Majesty’s service. The ship remained in service until 1875.

Year by Year

Discover the history of the HMS Cossack from 1854 to 1875.

You can search the ‘year’ and ‘month’ to find a specific date and also ‘click’ on the date itself to reveal any images and moments from that date.

05 November 1869

0400 Calm barometer 30.09 inches. Temperature 78F.

0900 Quarters and prayers. Read warrants and returns of court marshals. Boys at seamanship. Cutlass men of watch at drill. Employed making sennet.

PM boys of watch at rifle drill. Sailmakers repairing Quarterdeck awning. Scrubbed and washed clothes. Temperature 82F.

06 November 1869

At single anchor.  Wind calm. Employed cleaning ship throughout. Rove messengers. Prepared for sea.

1135 Weighed and proceeded out of anchorage under steam. Shaped course south.

1400 Observed dhow on Starboard bow..

1430 made sail.

1500 Stopped steaming and set mainsail. Wind force 1 to 2.

1530 Up Courses. Quarters.

1800 commenced steaming.

1830. Fired a gun for Chase? To heave to.

1910 Set foresail and lee clew of mainsail. Shaped course S by W. Lond swell from NE.

07 November 1869

Latitude. 15.25S. Longitude 44.00E. Cape St Andrew bearing south 166 miles. Course SW. Wind NE force 2. Daylight observed  Isle of Mayotta North Point N by 6 E and south point S 89 E.

0900. Squared yards. Up mainsail.

0950 Mustered by Open List. Performed Divine Service.

1545 Braced forward on  starboard tack to a light breeze from NE. Observed a dhow bearing E by S. Mustered at Quarters.

1830 Braced forward. 2350. Squared yards.

08 November 1869

Latitude 14.5S. Longitude 44.31E. Cape St Andrews bearing south at 126 miles. Course S by W. Wind NW changing to SW to Westerly. Force 2 increasing to 3 in the afternoon.

0045 Braced forward.

0600 Set Royals and forward jib.. Up clew of mainsail. Midshipmen at rifle drill. Quarters and prayers. Set Starboard Topsail studsails. Employed mending seine.

1145 Braced forward and set windward clew of mainsail.

1315 Studsails braced forward. Employed making sennit. Trained men at rifle drill. Scrubbed …

Latitude 14.5S. Longitude 44.31E. Cape St Andrews bearing south at 126 miles. Course S by W. Wind NW changing to SW to Westerly. Force 2 increasing to 3 in the afternoon.

0045 Braced forward.

0600 Set Royals and forward jib.. Up clew of mainsail. Midshipmen at rifle drill. Quarters and prayers. Set Starboard Topsail studsails. Employed mending seine.

1145 Braced forward and set windward clew of mainsail.

1315 Studsails braced forward. Employed making sennit. Trained men at rifle drill. Scrubbed and mended clothes.

1910 rounded in. Set Starboard Topsail studsail.

09 November 1869

Latitude 14.55S longitude 44.49E. Cape St Andrews S13W 78 miles. Course South westerly1800 and then North westerly. Wind Westerly force 3 falling to 1 at noon before rising to 4.

0110 Braced forward. In Topsail stud sail.

0440. Up courses.

0745 Set Courses.

0900 Quarters and prayers. Rounded in and set starboard top and Top gallant studsail. Broadside guns crew of watch at drill.

1300. Course S ½ E. Rounded in. Trained men of watch at rifle drill. Employed pointing cutter falls.

1545. In Royals…

Latitude 14.55S longitude 44.49E. Cape St Andrews S13W 78 miles. Course South westerly1800 and then North westerly. Wind Westerly force 3 falling to 1 at noon before rising to 4.

0110 Braced forward. In Topsail stud sail.

0440. Up courses.

0745 Set Courses.

0900 Quarters and prayers. Rounded in and set starboard top and Top gallant studsail. Broadside guns crew of watch at drill.

1300. Course S ½ E. Rounded in. Trained men of watch at rifle drill. Employed pointing cutter falls.

1545. In Royals, forward Jib and top gallant stud sails.

1645 Mustered at Quarters. Ware. In Top studsails and first and second reefs of Topsails and Main top staysail.

10 November 1869

Latitude 13.26S longitude 44.4 E. Pomba Bay N12W 101 miles. Course North westerly. Wind Westerly force 2 to 3. Barometer 30.00 inches . Temperature 82F at noon.

0300. Out reefs of Topsails.

0900 Prayers. Exercise at General Quarters. Employed at making boats fenders and pointing ropes. Sailmakers making shell bags and Quarter Deck awning.

PM. Boys at seamanship. Employed making seine Carpenters making gratings.

1645 mustered at Quarters. Exercised shifting topsails.

11 November 1869

Latitude 13.26S. Longitude 44.4E. Course Westward. Wind calm later increasing to 2 from the North. Temperature 85F at noon.

0400 Aired bedding.

0830 up courses.

0900 Mustered at Quarters – prayers. Marines at rifle drill. Boys at seamanship.

1150 sounded – 400 fathoms.

1315 Braced round on starboard tack. Making and mending clothes. Scrubbed and washed clothes.

1900 Set courses, Royals and Forward jib.

12 November 1869

Latitude 14.7S. Longitude 42.59E.  Pomba Bay N64W 159 miles. Course South easterly  until 2200 and then North westerly. Wind North easterly force 2 increasing to 5.

0610 Set starboard top studsail and Maintop staysail.

0950 Observed a sail bearing SW by S. altered course for SW. Mustered at Quarters and prayers.

1100. In studsail and commenced steaming.

1315 Set port topmast and top gallant studsails.

1500 Stopped steaming. Ame up with chase. Hove to. Sent cutter to across..

1530 Filled and se…

Latitude 14.7S. Longitude 42.59E.  Pomba Bay N64W 159 miles. Course South easterly  until 2200 and then North westerly. Wind North easterly force 2 increasing to 5.

0610 Set starboard top studsail and Maintop staysail.

0950 Observed a sail bearing SW by S. altered course for SW. Mustered at Quarters and prayers.

1100. In studsail and commenced steaming.

1315 Set port topmast and top gallant studsails.

1500 Stopped steaming. Ame up with chase. Hove to. Sent cutter to across..

1530 Filled and set foresail, Wore and set mainsail. Course NW by N. mustered at Quarters.

1800. In Royals and Flying Jib.

13 November 1869

Latitude 13.25S longitude 41.39E. Course North westerly. Wind North easterly force 3 to 4. 0327 Latitude by Sirius 13.40S. cleaned ship throughout.

1645 mustered at Quarters. In first reef of Topsails.

1800 Observed a brig bearing SW ¾ S.

2100 wore.

14 November 1869

Latitude 13.54S. Longitude 40.41E. Course Northerly . Westerly from 0600. Midday ESE followed by SE by E before coming round to North westerly. Wind North East force 3 to 4.

Early morning. Up courses. Wore ship. In Top gallant sails. Down Fore top staysail/

0420 Observed a comet NW by W Altitude 10o.

0600 Made all plain sail except Spanker. Shaped course West.

0950 Hauled to the wind. Mustered by Divisions for Divine Service. Set Spanker and tacked.

1520.Lost sight of land.

1650. Mustered at Qua…

Latitude 13.54S. Longitude 40.41E. Course Northerly . Westerly from 0600. Midday ESE followed by SE by E before coming round to North westerly. Wind North East force 3 to 4.

Early morning. Up courses. Wore ship. In Top gallant sails. Down Fore top staysail/

0420 Observed a comet NW by W Altitude 10o.

0600 Made all plain sail except Spanker. Shaped course West.

0950 Hauled to the wind. Mustered by Divisions for Divine Service. Set Spanker and tacked.

1520.Lost sight of land.

1650. Mustered at Quarters. 2015 Tacked.

15 November 1869

Latitude 14.02S. Longitude 41.16E. Course Northerly until 1600 then easterly until 2000. Wind Northerly  changing to ENE and back to North. Force3 reducing to 1.

0445 Up Courses.

0600 Set Courses.

0745 Rounded in and set Top and Top gallant stud sails. Mustered at Quarters. In stud sails. Trained men of watch at drill. Sailmakers making canvas bags for shell.

1200 Observed land bearing W by S.1320. Tacked. Trained men of watch at cutlass drill  In Spanker and down gaff to put head earing cleat…

Latitude 14.02S. Longitude 41.16E. Course Northerly until 1600 then easterly until 2000. Wind Northerly  changing to ENE and back to North. Force3 reducing to 1.

0445 Up Courses.

0600 Set Courses.

0745 Rounded in and set Top and Top gallant stud sails. Mustered at Quarters. In stud sails. Trained men of watch at drill. Sailmakers making canvas bags for shell.

1200 Observed land bearing W by S.1320. Tacked. Trained men of watch at cutlass drill  In Spanker and down gaff to put head earing cleat on. Set Spanker. Small arms men of bow and odd guns crew of watch at rifle drill. Scrubbed hammocks.

16 November 1869

Latitude 14.41S longitude 42.7E. Course South easterly until 0500 then Easterly until 1700 then North easterly. Wind Northerly calm to force 1.

0900. Mustered at Quarters and prayed. Set Courses. Small arms men of 2nd starboard and 4th guns crews at drill. Watch reeving throat halyards..

PM Boys learning signals and at seamanship. Guns crews of watch at rifle drill. Sailmakers repairing Top stud sail.

1645. Mustered by Divisions. Shifted Top sail.

2215 Up Courses.

17 November 1869

Latitude 14.13S Longitude 42.17E. Course South to SSE until 0500 then North to west until 2000 then SE to southerly. Wind calm.

0720 sounded in 120 fathoms.

0900 Prayers. Exercised at General Quarters. Sailmakers repairing fore Topsail. Watch the refitted Fore Topsail.

PM Cutlass men of watch at cutlass drill. Boys at seamanship and truck gun drill. Watch making mats.

1645 Mustered at Quarters.

2010 In Royals and For jib. Wore. Made all plain sail.

18 November 1869

Latitude 13,39S. Longitude 42.7E. Course Northerly. Wind North changing to southerly at 1600.

Daylight. Braced forward.

0900 Mustered at Quarters and read prayers..

0935 Wore. Watch employed making sennit mats. Marines firing at target. Sailmakers repairing Fore Topsail..

PM Making and mending of clothes.. Carpenters altering hammock netting.

1430 Up courses. In royals and Top gallant. Sailmakers repairing Fore topsail.

1600 A French brig passed steering north..

1630 Braced in. Course N ¼ E. Sq…

Latitude 13,39S. Longitude 42.7E. Course Northerly. Wind North changing to southerly at 1600.

Daylight. Braced forward.

0900 Mustered at Quarters and read prayers..

0935 Wore. Watch employed making sennit mats. Marines firing at target. Sailmakers repairing Fore Topsail..

PM Making and mending of clothes.. Carpenters altering hammock netting.

1430 Up courses. In royals and Top gallant. Sailmakers repairing Fore topsail.

1600 A French brig passed steering north..

1630 Braced in. Course N ¼ E. Squared yards. Scrubbed and washed clothes.

19 November 1869

Latitude 13.9S. longitude 42.40E. Course Northerly until midday and then westerly for two hours before resuming a northerly course.. Wind East changing to northerly  force calm to 2.

0900 Braced forward. Set Courses. Mustered at Quarters and read prayers.

0930 Braced forward. Small arms men of watch at drill.

PM. Wore. Set Courses. Small arms men of bow, odd and second guns screws at rifle drill. Employed making mats and fenders.

1445. Braced in. Braced forward. Mustered at Quarters. Exercised …

Latitude 13.9S. longitude 42.40E. Course Northerly until midday and then westerly for two hours before resuming a northerly course.. Wind East changing to northerly  force calm to 2.

0900 Braced forward. Set Courses. Mustered at Quarters and read prayers.

0930 Braced forward. Small arms men of watch at drill.

PM. Wore. Set Courses. Small arms men of bow, odd and second guns screws at rifle drill. Employed making mats and fenders.

1445. Braced in. Braced forward. Mustered at Quarters. Exercised at Fire Quarters.

20 November 1869

Latitude 12.50S Longitude 43.12 E. Course NW to SW until 0400 then northerly. Wind Easterly switching to northerly force 0 to 4.

0040 Up Courses.

1730. Saw an Island NE by e.

0550 Wore and made all plain sail. Employed cleaning ship.

PM as in forenoon. Altered course to NNW.

21 November 1869

Latitude 11.59S longitude 42.44E. course Northerly. Wind North easterly force 4 decreasing to 1.

0200 Up Mainsail. Hove to. Sounded in 100 fathoms. In top gallant sails and Royals.

0300 Up courses.

0400 Sounded in 140 fathoms. Set upper sails and Courses. Braced in and set starboard topmast and Top gallant stud sails.

0930 in stud sails. Braced round to wind from NW.

1200 Land bearing E by N.

1645 Mustered at Quarters.1800 Wore ship.

1945 Trimmed. Course N by W. Braced round.

1000 Braced forward…

Latitude 11.59S longitude 42.44E. course Northerly. Wind North easterly force 4 decreasing to 1.

0200 Up Mainsail. Hove to. Sounded in 100 fathoms. In top gallant sails and Royals.

0300 Up courses.

0400 Sounded in 140 fathoms. Set upper sails and Courses. Braced in and set starboard topmast and Top gallant stud sails.

0930 in stud sails. Braced round to wind from NW.

1200 Land bearing E by N.

1645 Mustered at Quarters.1800 Wore ship.

1945 Trimmed. Course N by W. Braced round.

1000 Braced forward and set mainsail.

22 November 1869

Latitude 11.0S Longitude 42.2 East. Course Northerly. Wind N by E to ENE force 2 to 3.

0910 Mustered at Quarters and read prayers. Watch employed refitting main and Mizzen  topsails.. Midshipmen and boys at gun drill. Sailmakers repairing main topsail..

1100 In Royals and Fore Jib.

1350 Up Courses. Ordinary seamen and boys at gun drill.

1600 One sail in sight. Scrubbed and washed clothes.

2010 Set courses. Altered course to the north. 21. Latitude by Achernar 10.28S

also known as Alpha Eridani …

Latitude 11.0S Longitude 42.2 East. Course Northerly. Wind N by E to ENE force 2 to 3.

0910 Mustered at Quarters and read prayers. Watch employed refitting main and Mizzen  topsails.. Midshipmen and boys at gun drill. Sailmakers repairing main topsail..

1100 In Royals and Fore Jib.

1350 Up Courses. Ordinary seamen and boys at gun drill.

1600 One sail in sight. Scrubbed and washed clothes.

2010 Set courses. Altered course to the north. 21. Latitude by Achernar 10.28S

also known as Alpha Eridani – is the 9th brightest star in Earth’s sky and the flattest star known. … This is the constellation Eridanus the River, and Achernar is its brightest star.

23 November 1869

Latitude 9.50S longitude 41.2 E. Course North. Wind Easterly force 3 to 4.

0900 Mustered at Quarters. First company of small arms men at drill. Midshipmen at seamanship. Sailmakers altering Quarter Deck awning..

1315 Set Royals and fore Jib. Small arms men of bow, fourth and sixth guns crews at drills. Sailmakers repairing Fore and Mizzen topsails.

1645 Quarters. Shifted Courses and topsails. Observed land W by S ¼ S.

2230 In Royals and fore jib.

24 November 1869

Latitude 8.4S. Longitude 40.44E. Course NNE. Wind Easterly force 3 to 4 decreasing to 2.

0630 Rounded in.

0900 Read prayers and exercised at General Quarters and Fire Quarters. Employed overhauling fore Topsail and fore sail. Making sennit mats. Sailmakers making Quarterdeck awning.

1220 Altered course n ½ E. rounded in. Cutlass men of watch at drill. Boys at seamanship. Watch refitting fore topmast and fore sail.

1645 Mustered at Quarters. In first reef of Top sail.

2020 Course N by E.

2300 so…

Latitude 8.4S. Longitude 40.44E. Course NNE. Wind Easterly force 3 to 4 decreasing to 2.

0630 Rounded in.

0900 Read prayers and exercised at General Quarters and Fire Quarters. Employed overhauling fore Topsail and fore sail. Making sennit mats. Sailmakers making Quarterdeck awning.

1220 Altered course n ½ E. rounded in. Cutlass men of watch at drill. Boys at seamanship. Watch refitting fore topmast and fore sail.

1645 Mustered at Quarters. In first reef of Top sail.

2020 Course N by E.

2300 sounded in 75 fathoms

Hidden Gems

The Island of Kotka was attacked in 1855, but the garrison had already departed: barracks, stores and magazines etc were destroyed and the squadron left, leaving COSSACK in charge of the Island.

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1806-1816

This is the account of the first vessel named HMS Cossack, a title that would be passed on to five later ships and commemorated by the Royal Navy in the Cossack Building at HMS Raleigh.

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1854-1875

The second Cossack was originally ordered by Russia for the Black Sea Fleet in December 1852 at a cost of 290,000 silver roubles. However, when relations between Britain and Russia deteriorated, Russia sold the vessels to the Hamburg trading firm Henry Mersk & Co.

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1886-1905

This account covers the third vessel named HMS Cossack. Launched on 3 June 1886 and in service until 1905, she spent the majority of her career in the Far East, calling at India, Aden, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and other ports.

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1907-1919

The fourth HMS Cossack received the first Battle Honour for participating in operations along the Belgian coast from 17 October to 8 November 1914. This section contains copies of the original construction contract and detailed plans showing her launch, deck arrangements, and machinery.

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1938-1941

Credited with battle honours including Baltic 1855, Witu 1890, Dover Patrol 1914–1919, Narvik 1940, Norway 1940, Atlantic 1940–1941, the Bismarck Action 1941, and the Malta Convoys 1941, the HMS Cossack in service from 1938 to 1941 was a formidable presence.

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1944-1960

During Warship Week in February 1942, the town of Esher raised £1,192,211, contributing to the construction of the warship HMS Cossack. The funds were collected by the public depositing money into a rubber-type float in a pool. Remarkably, the surplus was enough to fund a submarine as well. The story continues.

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